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Exercise Intensity-Dependent Effects on Cognitive Control Function during and after Acute Treadmill Running in Young
Martin Wohlwend1, Alexander Olsen2, Asta K Håberg3
1Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
Frontiers in Psychology
|April 6, 2017
Summary
Acute physical activity impacts cognitive performance. Moderate intensity running worsened accuracy during exercise, but higher intensity running improved reaction times afterward. Cognitive control benefits were temporary.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Physical activity's impact on cognitive function is of growing interest.
- Understanding how acute exercise affects cognition remains incomplete.
- Research is needed to clarify intensity-dependent effects on cognitive tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different physical activity intensities on cognitive performance during and after exercise.
- To assess changes in cognitive accuracy and reaction time across low, moderate, and high intensity running.
- To examine exercise-induced mood alterations at varying intensities.
Main Methods:
- 30 healthy young adults participated in a randomized controlled trial.
- Participants performed a not-X Continuous Performance Test (CPT) during low (LI) and moderate intensity (MI) running.
- Cognitive tests were also administered post-LI, post-MI, and post-high intensity (HI) running, alongside mood assessments.
Main Results:
- Moderate intensity running led to decreased CPT accuracy during exercise compared to low intensity.
- Post-exercise, reaction time linearly decreased with increasing running intensity.
- No significant changes in accuracy or mood were observed post-exercise, with HI running's effects on reaction time returning to baseline within 20 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive accuracy is acutely impaired during high-intensity physical exertion.
- A transient, intensity-dependent enhancement of cognitive control is observed following physical activity.
- These findings highlight the nuanced relationship between exercise intensity and cognitive function.